Whilst Bethlehem and Lapland do a roaring seasonal trade due to their much-publicised Christmas links, they’re not the only places full of the festive spirit. Across Europe there are cities with unusual Christmas connections. From the real home of Santa, to the site of the first ever Christmas Tree, these locations are at the heart of what the season is all about.
Myra, Turkey
The Santa legend has come through so many re-tellings that it hardly bears any relation to the tale it was originally based on, but its beginnings are in Myra. St Nicholas was the bishop of Myra in the 4th century, and he is thought responsible for many a miracle. However, the most famous tale relates to a poor man who could not afford a dowry to allow his daughters to get married. As they came of age, he had little option but to sell them into prostitution. However, just at the right time, St Nicholas anonymously donated a bag of gold coins so that the girl could be married.
The man was intent on finding out who the benefactor was, so when the third daughter came of age, he waited to see who kept leaving the coins. But, St Nicholas had got wind of this, and dropped the bag down the chimney instead.
Today, the ruins of Myra can be found in the town of Demre, Antalya Province. The church of St Nicholas there dates from the 8th century, and every year the International Santa Claus Festival is held in the relatively untouched coastal town. There is also a big statue of Santa as we know him in the town centre, while the more orthodox version can be found near the church.
Bari, Italy
Whilst Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) was engulfed in war, a group of thieving sailors took advantage of the confusion in Myra to remove St Nicholas’ bones from his home town and take them to Bari.
This was in 1087, but the bones still rest there today, in the Basilica di San Nicola. Every year, a strange, supposedly powerful liquid known as Manna Water is collected from them. Some regard this as a sign of holiness, others as a sign of humidity in the region.
The Basilica is a strange-looking place, bearing more resemblance to a castle than a place of worship, and the 11th century Bishop’s Throne inside is regarded as one of the finest of its type in the world.
Ypres, Belgium
If ever there was a triumph of the Christmas spirit over hideous reality, it came on December 25th, 1914. By then, the first World War was in full flow, with the horrific truths of trench warfare beginning to dawn. One of the major battlefields throughout the war was at Ypres, yet on Christmas Day, something incredible happened. Stories vary, but the romantics would have it that some of the German troops started decorating their trenches, and began to throw chocolate cakes instead of grenades at the British soldiers.
Soon after, both sides had climbed out, stepped into No Man’s Land and embarked upon a game of football. The Christmas Truce spread, to varying degrees, down the Western Front even though, within a couple of days, the fighting returned.
Today, a solitary cross marks the spot where The Christmas Truce originated. Stood at the edge of a field, its “Lest We Forget” is in a spirit of hope and celebration of man’s better side rather than mourning. Tours of the battlefields are available from both Ypres and Brussels, although they’re a sombre and sometimes harrowing experience.
Prague, The Czech Republic
The Good King Wenceslas of the famous carol was a real person, and he was the Duke of Bohemia in the 10th century. In the Czech Republic, however, he is best known for converting the area to Christianity and being murdered by those who wanted to keep the country pagan, rather than his Boxing Day generosity. He is also the country’s patron saint.
He founded the looming, Gothic cathedral of St Vitus in Prague, which is where his tomb can be found. A statue of him can also be found in Wenceslas Square, the commercial heart of this gorgeous city.
Cologne, Germany
Despite protracted attempts at guessing, no-one really knows where the Three Wise Men came from. In fact, no-one really knows if there were three of them – it’s just a number that’s stuck, largely because of the main gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. However, we do know where they ended up.
Cologne Cathedral was, until the Eiffel Tower was built, the tallest building in Europe. It absolutely dwarves the skyline and is one of the most impressive structures you will ever see. It is also home to a shining gold sarcophagus, in which the bones of the Magi (the official name for the men from the East who followed the star) lie. This has made Cologne a major pilgrimage site, but the cathedral should wow even the non-religious.
Riga, Latvia
The Christmas tree has pagan origins, but the modern version started to become popular in Germany during the 16th century. From there on, it spread to the world. However, the first properly documented decoration of a tree for the purpose of celebrating the festive season comes from Latvia. Little detail has been recorded about it, but in 1510 a group erected a tree in the town hall square, decorating it with paper flowers, and then burned it afterwards.
The spot where the tree was erected is marked with a domed plaque, whilst every year the square is a sea of light and decoration. Although fast developing a reputation as a boozy weekend hotspot, Riga’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed centre is one of the most beautiful and culturally significant in the world.
This article was originally written for Metro.
Copyright David Whitley
